Terminal fitting and insulating sleeve applicator



Dec. 6, 1966 c. M. ZENT 3,289,284

TERMINAL FITTING AND INSUIAATING SLEEVE APPLICATOR Filed March 22, 19655 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. CLAYTON M. ZENT ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1966 c. M.ZENT 3,289,284

TERMINAL FITTING AND INSULATING SLEEVE APPLIGATOR Filed March 22, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 2 0m: mmumum 0 F! a 3 INVENTOR CLAYTON M ZENT ATTORNEYSDec. 6, 1966 c. M. ZENT P171; 24

TERMINAL FITTING AND INSULATING SLEEVE APPLICATOR Filed March 22, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 3 I07 29 v E 46 41 I 27 CLAYTON M. ZENT ATTORNEYS 966 c. M.ZENT 389,28

TERMINAL FITTING AND INSULATING SLEEVE APPLICATOR Filed March 22, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 4 C LAY Bfi i z E N T M JJ A K and ATTORNEYS C. M. ZENTDec. 6, 1966 TERMINAL FITTING AND INSULATING SLEEVE APPLICATOR 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 22, 1965 INVENTOR.

M. ZENT CLAYTON JeAmwaf mam;

ATTORNEYS United htates mno ml'i i l d-tented Dec. 6, i966 The presentinvention relates generally to insulating sleeve applicators andparticularly to an improved apparatus for applying terminal fittings andinsulating sleeves to the ends of wires.

In general, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a standardterminating press means, a frame means adapted to be attached to thepress means and a sleeve expanding means for expanding resilientinsulating sleeves so a Wire may be inserted through the sleeve and intothe crimping Zone of the press means.

A terminal is then crimped onto the end of the wire which is pulled backthrough the expanded sleeve and off of the sleeve expanding means. Thesleeve then shrinks down around the terminal because of its naturalresiliency.

A series of switch means automatically selectively control the operationwhereby a sleeve is manually placed over the sleeve expanding meanswhich is then expanded. A wire is inserted through the expanded sl eveand into the crimping zone of the terminal press where a terminal isautomatically applied and the wire is merely pulled back into theexpanded insulating sleeve.

In accordance with the terminal and sleeve applying apparatus of thepresent invention, the novel construction of the sleeve applicatingmeans and associated switch means permits a reduction in operating costswhile greatly increasing the output of a single worker.

As another aspect of the present invention, the novel construction ofthe sleeve and terminal applying apparatus eliminates the need todialate the insulating sleeve with chemicals thereby providing a saferoperational procedure.

As another aspect of the present invention, the novel construction ofthe sleeve and terminal applying apparatus permits automatically theprecise alignment of the terminal inside the insulating sleeve therebyeliminating the need of a trimming operation.

As another aspect of the present invention, the novel construction ofthe sleeve and terminal applying apparatus permits even unskilledworkers to operate the same as the procedure is both simple and safe.

As still another aspect of the present invention, the novel constructionof the sleeve and terminal applying apparatus permits application ofterminals and sleeves to the ends of wires semi-automatically in aneconomical and practical manner.

As a further aspect of the present invention, the novel construction ofterminal and sleeve applying apparatus is relatively simple therebypermitting low manufacturing and fabrication costs.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus of the type described which greatly increases production whilereducing operating costs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus ofthe type described which eliminates the need for the use of chemicals todialate the insulating sleeves thereby providing a safer, less expensiveoperation as compared to prior methods and means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus ofthe type described which provides precise alignment between the sleeveand the terminal thereby eliminating a costly trimming operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusor" the type described which is simple in operation thereby permittingeven unskilled workers to operate the apparatus with high efficiency.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus of the type described which provides a semiautomatic operationfor applying sleeves and termimale in a more economical manner thanprior devices presently in use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatusof the type described which may be manufactured and fabricated at lowcost.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being bad to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention isclearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an apparatus for applying terminalfittings and insulating sleeves which is constructed in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating thesleeve applying and terminal applying portions of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the sleeve applying portion of thepresent invention as seen removed from the terminal applying press;

PK 4 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 2 but illustrating thesleeve expanding means in an open position wherein a resilient sleeve isexpanded and a wire has been inserted through the sleeve and into thecrimping zone of the press;

5 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 3 but illustrates thesleeve expanding means in an open position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 4 but following wireafter a terminal has been applied to the end thereof but before theterminal has been withdrawn into the expanded insulating sleeve;

HQ. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a typical electrical circuitconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the present inventionillustrating the sleeve applying portion including the terminal pressactivating means;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 8 but illustrating aninsulating sleeve and sleeve expanding means in an open position;

P16. 10 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 9 but illustrates awire inserted through the sleeve and into contact with the terminalpress activating means; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 10 but illustratinga wire after a terminal has been applied to the end thereof but beforethe terminal has been withdrawn into the sleeve.

Referring specifically to the drawings, an apparatus for applyingterminal fittings and insulating sleeves to the ends of the wires whichis constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 1. A standard commercial automatic terminating press isindicated genorally at and includes a roll of terminal fittings 22 whichare automatically fed to a crimping zone 24 where a terminal fitting isautomatically crimped on the end of a wire. An insulating sleeveapplicator is indicated generally at 26 and includes a frame means 29which is attached to press it) by bolts 28 through spacers 27, FIG. 2.

Now referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 through 11, sleeve applicatorincludes a pair of expanding fingers (all and $2.. Finger Ell is mountedon a stationary portion of frame means 29 and finger 32; is mounted on amovable portion of said frame means which forms an expander arm 34 thatis pivotally mounted by bearing pin 36 and bearing housing 38.

A switch arm 49 is rotatably mounted on frame means 29 and is free torotate a limited distance about pin 42, the distance being adjustable bymeans of adjustment screws 44.

It is important to point out that switch arm 41) is adjusted to besensitive to the pressure of insulating sleeve 46 when it is slippedover the fingers 30 and 32 and into contact with arm 40.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, expander arm 34 is moved to the left,as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, by means of an air cylinder 47 and piston rod48 which engages the lower portion of arm 34- through a roller bearingStl bolted to a clevis 45 by bolt 52. A spring 54 connected to arm 34and frame means 29 biases arm 34 in the closed position seen in FIGS. 2and 3. A solenoid air valve 55, FIG. 1, when energized activates aircylinder i7.

An expander arm adjustment screw 56 limits the degree of rotation of arm34 to control the degree of spread between fingers 30 and 32 when aircylinder 47 is energized. This permits a relatively simple manner inwhich to change to larger or smaller insulating sleeves and terminalfittings as required.

Still referring to FIG. 3, a solenoid 58 is shown in a de-energizedposition. A solenoid spring 60 holds a solenoid plunger 62 in theposition shown in FIG. 3 when solenoid 58 is cle-energized. A link 61 isconnected to plunger 62 and a solenoid lever 64 which, in turn, isconnected to a solenoid pin assembly as through a shaft, not shown. Asensing wire pin assembly 68 is connected to terminal sensing wire 70 bya terminal sensing spring '72 which biases sensing wire 70 to rotateupwards between expander fingers 30 and 32. When sensing wire 79 isbetween expander fingers 3t and 32;, sensing wire pin assembly 68actuates sensing wire switch 74, but when solenoid 58 is energized, thepreviously described solenoid linkage holds sensing wire 70 outside ofexpander fingers 30 and 32.

A solenoid switch 76 is activated by a washer 7 8 when solenoid 58 isenergized. An expander arm switch 35) is closed when expander arm 34 isin the open position shown in FIG. 5.

Now referring to FIG. 7, a diagrammatic view of a typical electricalcircuit for the present invention is illustrated and will be describedin operation. The electrical components are preferably mounted in acontrol housing, not shown, and connected to the mechanical componentsthrough a cable and plug assembly. The plug connections are indicated at81.

The sleeve applicator operates from a conventional 110 volt alternatingcurrent source and the line voltage is applied through an on-otf switch82 which is connected to pilot 84 and then to the primary coil 86 of astep-down transformer. The secondary coil 83 of the transformer isconnected through a fuse 90 to a full wave rectifier 92, the output ofwhich is approximately 24 volts of direct current and is filtered bycondenser 94.

All switches and relay contacts are illustrated with switch 82 in theoff position. When switch 82 is turned on, sensing wire solenoid 58 isenergized through contacts 95.

Now the operator slides an insulating sleeve over expander fingers 3tand 32 when said fingers are in the closed position shown in FIG. 8.When the sleeve moves switch arm 40, insulating sleeve switch 41 closesthus energizing relay 98 through contacts ltlll.

Holding contacts 102 are for relay coil 98. The air valve solenoid 55 isthen energized through contacts 104 thus activating air cylinder 47 tocause expander arm 34 to rotate to expand insulating sleeve 46 to theposition shown in FIG. 9. Contacts 108 are closed by relay 98 and switch89 is closed when expander arm 34 is open to the position of FIG. 9.

A wire 107, FIG. 10, having the insulation trimmed off the end is nowinserted by the operator through the expanded sleeve 46 toward crimpingzone 24.

Right and left trip plates 1%, FIGS. 8-11, are connected to the press29. The left trip plate is bolted to the right trip plate but insulatedfrom it and plates 1% meet to form a V-shaped notch 110.

When the wire 1417 is inserted through sleeve 56 and strikes V-shapednotch 11 the circuit is closed to relay coil 106, which preferably is asensitive relay requiring very little current to operate, practicallyeliminating an electric are between trip plates 18%. Contacts 1419 areholding contacts for relay 1%.

When relay coil 1416 is energized by the engagement of wire 107 withplates 1&8 the terminating press solenoid 112 is energized throughcontacts 51 to activate the press 2:). Contacts 91 also release sensingwire solenoid 58 and the associated linkage which releases sensing wire70 permitting wire 70 to move in between fingers 30 and 32 and intocontact with wire 107. The terminating press solenoid 112 is preferablyof the type that must be released before the press can operate again.

When the press is activated, it is important to point out that the wire1%7 must be aligned in the V-notch 11% and also the crimping zone 24where the terminal fitting 114 is applied. It is also important to pointout that plates 1% act as a stop for the wire 142-7 so the terminalfitting will be applied to the correct position on the wire. Plates 168further function to release the fitting 114 from the presss terminalcrimper.

After terminal fitting 114 has been crimped onto the wire 1197, theoperator Withdraw the wire from crimping zone 24 and through theexpanded sleeve 48. As soon as the end of wire 1G7 and terminal 114 arewithdrawn inside sleeve 45, sensing wire 70 will rotate and activatesensing wire switch 74 to close the circuit to relay coil 116. Contact118 is a holding contact for relay 116. Now contact closes and activatessensing wire solenoid 58. Simultaneously contacts 1G0 open and solenoidswitch 76 opens to de-energize relay coil @8. This opens contact 164thus de-energizing air valve solenoid 55. The air cylinder 47 nowoperates to retract piston 48.

The operator pulls Wire 1107 to free terminal 114 and sleeve 46 fromexpanding fingers 3t and 32. When terminal 114 and sleeve 46 have beenfreed, expander arm 34 through the force exerted by spring 54 returns tothe original closed position shown in FIG. 8 and expander arm switch 80opens to break the circuit to relay 116. Another cycle may then beinitiated.

It is important to note that terminating press 29 can only be activatedwhen a sleeve is on expander fingers 30 and 32.

For emergency circumstances, a push button switch 120 is provided toactivate expander arm 34 to spread if terminal 114 should become lodgedbetween expander fingers 3t and 32.. This occurs if sleeve 36 andterminal 114 are not pulled from fingers 3t) and 32 when air cylinder4-7 releases.

When the resilient sleeve 46 is pulled free it will be understood thatit shrinks tightly about terminal 114 because of its natural resiliency.It is important to point out that different types of terminating pressesmay be employed with the sleeve applicator portion 26 without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminalfittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, a terminalfitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeveexpanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closedposition wherein each of said sleeves may be freely received thereon andan open position wherein each of said sleeves is expanded to receive awire provided with a terminal fitting pressed on an end of a wire bysaid terminal press means; power means operatively connected to saidsleeve expanding means for moving said expanding means between saidclosed and open positions; switch means operatively connected to saidpower means for automatically and selectively activating said powermeans; and press activating means operatively connected to said pressmeans for automatically and selectively activating said press means toapply said terminal fitting to the end of said wire.

2. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminalfittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, terminalfitting press means; frame means mounted on said press means andincluding sleeve ex pending means, said expanding means comprising apair of fingers, one of said fingers being stationary and the other ofsaid fingers being movable between a closed position adjacent saidstationary finger and an open position spaced from said stationaryfinger; power means operatively connected to said sleeve expanding meansfor mov ing said expanding means between said closed and open positions;switch means operatively connected to said power means for automaticallyand selectively activating said power means; press activating meansoperatively connected to said press means for automatically andselectively activating said press means to apply said terminal fittingto the end of said wire; and means for actuating the sleeve expandingmeans to assemble and secure each of said sleeves over an appliedterminal fitting.

3. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminalfittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, a terminalfitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeveexpanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closedposition wherein one of said sleeves may be freely received thereon andan open position wherein sai sleeve is expanded to receive a wireprovided with a fitting; power means operati-vely connected to saidexpanding means for moving said expanding means between said closed andopen positions; switch means operatively connected to said power meansfor automatically and selectively activating said power means; and pressactivating means operatively connected to said press means including afirst switch portion, a second switch portion disposed adjacent to saidfirst switch portion at such a distance that the end of said Wire may beinserted between said portion to make an electrical connection therewithfor activating said press means.

ll. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein frame means includes astationary portion and a movable portion; and said sleee expanding meansincludes a pair of fingers, one of said fingers being mounted to saidstation ary portion and the other of said fingers being mounted to saidmovable portion.

5. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminalfittings on the ends of Wires comprising, in combination, a terminalfitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeveexpanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closedposition wherein one of said sleeves may be freely received thereon andan open position wherein said sleeve is expanded to receive a wireprovided with a terminal fitting; power means operatively connected tosaid expanding means for moving said expanding means between said closedand open positions; switch means including a switch bar pivotallymounted to said frame means and operatively connected to said powermeans, said switch bar being activated by the pressure of said sleevewhen said sleeve is slideably received by said expanding means foractivating said power means to move said expanding means to said openposition; and press activating means operatively connected to said pressmeans for automaticease cally and selectively activating said pressmeans to apply said terminal fitting to the end of said Wire.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein frame means includes astationary portion and a movable portion; and said sleeve expandingmeans includes a pair of fingers, one of said fingers being mounted tosaid stationary portion and the other of said fingers being mounted tosaid movable portion.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 5 including terminal sensing meansmounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said powermeans for tie-activating said power means when said terminal fitting hasbeen received by said sleeve.

3. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminalfittings on the ends of wires: comprising, in combination, a terminalfitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeveexpanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closedposition wherein one of sleeves may be freely received thereon and anopen position wherein said sleeve is expanded to receive a wire providedwith a terminal fitting; power means operatively connected to saidexpanding means for moving said expanding means between said closed andopen positions; a switch means including a switch bar pivotally mountedto said frame means and operatively connected to said power means, saidswitch bar being activated by the pressure of said sleeve when saidsleeve is slideably received by said expanding means for activating saidpower means to move said sleeve expanding means to said open position;and press activating means operatively connected to said press meansincluding a first switch portion, a second switch portion disposedadjacent to said first switch portion at such a distance that the end ofsaid wire may be inserted between said portion to make an electricalconnection therewith for activating said press 9. The apparatus definedin claim 23 including terminal sensin means mounted on said frame meansand operatively connected to said power means for tie-activating saidpower means when said terminal fitting has been received by said sleeve.

lfi. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminalfittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, a terminalfitting press means; a frame means attached to said press meansincluding a stationary portion and a movable arm portion; sleeveexpanding means including a first finger mounted on said stationaryportion and a second finger mounted on said movable arm portion, saidsecond finger being biased in a closed position wherein said sleeve maybe freely received thereon and also movable to an open position whereinone of said sleeves is expanded to receive a wire provided with aterminal fitting; power means operatively connected to said movable armportion of said frame means for moving said second finger to said openposition; switch means including a switch bar pivotally mounted to saidframe means and operatively connected to said power means, said switchbar being pivoted by the pressure of said sleeve when said sleeve isslideably received by said expanding means for activating said powermeans to move said expanding means to said open position; and pressactivating means operatively connected to said press means including afirst switch portion, a second switch portion disposed adjacent to saidfirst switch portion at such a distance that the end of said wire may beinserted between said portions to make an electrical connectiontherewith for activating said press means.

11. The apparatus defined in claim lfi including terminal sensing meansmounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said powermeans for de-activating said power means when said terminal fitting hasbeen received by said sleeve.

12. In an apparatus adapted to be attached to a terminal fitting pressmeans for applying resilient insulating sleeves over terminal fittingsthe combination of frame means attached to said press means; sleeveexpanding means movably mounted on said frame mean between a closedposition wherein said sleeve may be freely received thereon and an openposition wherein one of said sleeves is stretched to receive a wireprovided with a terminal fitting; power means operatively connected tosaid sleeve expanding means for moving said sleeve expanding meansbetween said closed and open positions; switch means operativelyconnected to said power means for automatically and selectivelyactivating said power means; press activating means operativelyconnected to said press means for automatically and selectivelyactivating said press means to apply said terminal fitting to the end ofsaid wire; and terminal sensing means mounted on said frame means andbiased to move inbetween said sleeve expanding means when said sleeveexpanding means is in said open position, said terminal sensing meansbeing operatively connected to said power means and said press means forde-activating said power means when said terminal fitting has beenreceived by said sleeve.

13. An apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves and terminalfittings on the ends of wires comprising, in combination, a terminalfitting press means; frame means attached to said press means; sleeveexpanding means mounted on said frame means and movable between a closedposition wherein one of said sleeves may be freely received thereon andan open position wherein said sleeve is expanded to receive a wireprovided with a fitting; power means operatively connected to saidexpanding means for moving said expanding means between said closed andopen positions; switch means operatively connected to said power meansfor automatically and selectively activating said power means; pressactivating means operatively connected to said press means including afirst switch portion, a second switch portion disposed adjacent to saidfirst switch portion at such a distance that the end of said Wire may beinserted between said portions to make an electrical connectiontherewith for activating said press means; and terminal sensing meansmounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said powermeans for tie-activating said power means when said terminal fitting hasbeen received by said sleeve.

14. In an apparatus for applying resilient insulating sleeves andterminal fittings on the ends of wires the combination of terminalfitting press means for sequentially delivering terminals to a crimpingstation and sequentially crimping each of the terminal fittings on awire; frame means mounted on said press means and including a pair offingers disposed adjacent to said crimping station and normally biasedin a closed position for freely receiving each of said sleeves, at leastone of said fingers being movable to an open position wherein saidsleeve is expanded to receive a wire provided with a terminal fitting;and pot er means operatively connected to said movable finger for movingsaid finger between said open and closed position to expand, assemble,and secure each of said sleeves over one of the crimped terminalfittings.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 14 including switch means for saidpower means, said switch means including a switch bar pivotably mountedto said frame means and operatively connected to said power means, saidbar being actuated by said sleeve when said sleeve is slideably receivedby said fingers for activating said power means to move said movablefinger to said open position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOHN F. CAMPBELL,Primary Examiner.

THOMAS H. EAGER, Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING RESILIENT INSULATING SLEEVES AND TERMINALFITTINGS ON THE ENDS OF WIRES COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A TERMINALFITTING PRESS MEANS; FRAME MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID PRESS MEANS; SLEEVEEXPANDING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME MEANS AND MOVABLE BETWEEN A CLOSEDPOSITION WHEREIN EACH OF SAID SLEEVES MAY BE FREELY RECEIVED THEREON ANDAN OPEN POSITION WHEREIN EACH OF SAID SLEEVES IS EXPANDED TO RECEIVE AWIRE PROVIDED WITH A TERMINAL FITTING PRESSED ON AN END OF A WIRE BYSAID TERMINAL PRESS MEANS; POWER MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAIDSLEEVE EXPANDING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID EXPANDING MEANS BETWEEN SAIDCLOSED AND OPEN POSITION; SWITCH MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAIDPOWER MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY AND SELECTIVELY ACTIVATING SAID POWERMEANS; AND PRESS ACTIVATING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID PRESSMEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY AND SELECTIVELY ACTIVATING SAID PRESS MEANS TOAPPLY SAID TERMINAL FITTING TO THE END OF SAID WIRE.